Ridgway Chautauqua/Sherbino: Strengthening Arts, Culture & Community
Celebrating Our Community. Preserving Our Spaces. Building What's Next.
Ridgway Chautauqua brings people together through live music, art, film, theater, lifelong learning, and community celebrations. From unforgettable performances to everyday connections—and even moments of remembrance—our programs and gathering spaces help make Ridgway a vibrant, creative, and connected community.
None of it happens without the generosity of people who believe that arts, culture, and community spaces matter.
What We Accomplished in 2026
In 2026, we presented more than 130 events at the Sherbino, 610 Arts Collective, the Courtyard, and other community locations—including 37 live music events.
This year, we focused on refining our offerings rather than simply increasing volume—prioritizing thoughtful programming, exceptional experiences, and meaningful community connections.
Highlights included:
Live Music: 37 live music events featuring local, regional, and national artists, alongside comedy, theater, and other performances.
A Vibrant Courtyard Season: Outdoor music and summer gatherings that bring our community together.
Gallery: Supporting regional artists through the gallery programming.
Lifelong Learning: Author talks, films, Veterans Coffee, lectures, and opportunities for conversation and discovery.
Community Traditions: Fête de la Musique, Ridgway 1K, San Juan Oktoberfest, and RIFF.
A Place for Community: Beyond our public programming, we were honored to host several memorial gatherings celebrating the lives of beloved community members.
Partnerships: Collaborations with nonprofits, artists, businesses, and organizations that enrich our region's cultural life.
These experiences carry forward the Chautauqua tradition of bringing people together through art, education, entertainment, and conversation.
The Sherbino is more than a theater. It's a place for our community to gather, celebrate, remember, and connect.
A Year of Challenges—and Extraordinary Generosity
2026 also brought unexpected challenges: A surprise roof replacement at the 610 Arts Collective required significant time and attention. Fortunately, generous private donors stepped forward to fund this major investment, helping us protect an important community asset. We also faced unexpected maintenance expenses at Cora, including exterior painting and additional building repairs.
Despite these challenges, we've reached an extraordinary milestone: We're Just $6,000 Away from Paying Off Cora!
In Jan, 2023, The Sherbino and Weehawken purchased 145 and 147 North Cora Street for $600,000 + about $30k in immediate improvements —an ambitious investment in the future of arts and culture in downtown Ridgway.
Thanks to remarkable community generosity and investments by both organizations, we're now just approximately $6,000 away from completely paying off the acquisition loan and initial improvements! Our immediate fundraising goal is $10,000 to finish the loan payoff and help cover essential '26 building improvements. It's an awesome accomplishment, and one made possible by people who believe in preserving spaces for community use.
What's Next? Bringing 147 Cora to Life in 2027!
We're ready to focus on activating 147 North Cora. Although 145 and 147 appear to be one building from the street, they are actually two separate structures, with distinct foundations beneath a connected façade and roofline. As we learned more about 147's condition in late 2025 and early 2026, we discovered that substantial improvements would be necessary to make the space functional and welcoming.
Our vision is to create a flexible community space that serves different needs throughout the day:
Business hours: A gallery featuring regional artists.
After school: Classes and creative learning through Weehawken.
Evenings: Sherbino programming, workshops, meetings, and community gatherings.
We have grant applications pending that we hope will provide approximately $75,000 toward renovations. If awarded, we anticipate needing another $50,000–$60,000 in private contributions.
Our goal is to secure those private funds by June 30, 2027, and activate the space during 2027.
Why Your Support Matters
Ticket sales, bar revenue, gallery sales, and other earned income cover only a portion of what it costs to provide year-round programming and maintain our community spaces.
Private donations make the rest possible. Your generosity helps us present exceptional artists, keep experiences accessible, preserve facilities, support our dedicated team, and create opportunities for community connection.
This Colorado Gives Day, we invite you to support three priorities:
General Operating Support
Cora Acquisition & '26 Improvements — $10k
Improvements at 147 Cora — $50-$60k
Thank You for Building This With Us
Together we're building a more connected, creative, and vibrant Ridgway for generations to come!